Gombe Governor, others receive Best performing Governors Award in Covid-19, Routine Immunization.
The Award is in recognition of their contributions to health care development; SGF Boss Mustapha, Minister of Health, Ex.Sec.NPHCDA.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has received the Award of Best Performing Governor in the North East in the area of Covid-19 vaccination and other health interventions.
The Governor was presented with the award alongside some Governors representing their respective geographical zones at the Ladi Kwali Hall, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya was represented by his Deputy Manassah Daniel Jatau at the 2022 Immunization Performance Awards, African Vaccination Week, where fourteen other Governor’s were awarded with Best performing Governors award, with two each representing the six geopolitical zones and two overall best in Covid-19 and routine immunization.
Other Governors include Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullah Sule,who is also overall best in Covid-19 Vaccination, Governor of Ebonyi state David Umahi who is also overall best in routine Immunization, Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.
Others are Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, Ogun State Governor, Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, Jigawa State Governor, Alh. Badaru Abubakar, Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Nasiru El-rufai, Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Cross Rivers State Governor, Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade, Edo State Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwolu.
Shortly before the presentation of the awards the Secretary to the Federal Government Barr. Boss Mustapha and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie said, the awards were in recognition of their outstanding contributions in routine immunizations and Covid-19 vaccination and other health interventions towards limiting rates of deaths resulting from preventable diseases.
They commended the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Development Partners, Governors, Traditional and community leaders, religious leaders and all those contributing to Primary healthcare delivery in the country.
Mr. Boss Mustapha who is also the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 stressed that Covid-19 is not in hurry to leave Nigeria therefore people should not relent in observing the non pharmaceutical measures of face marks, hand washing, and to ensure they are vaccinated against the virus and other killer diseases.
The Minister of Health congratulated the winners and recipients of the awards and enjoined them to exert more effort and rid the country of diseases towards saving lives.
The Executive Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said, fifteen Governor’s out of thirty- six shall be awarded for their immense contributions to Routine Immunization and Covid-19 vaccination, pointing out that, those selected are those who have provided needed leadership qualities, Awareness and Demand Creation, Human Resource Development, Financial Support High level of accountability, and hardwork.
Highlighting on the criteria used for the selection of the deserving Awardees, the coordinator of the Selection Team, Dr. Rodah explained that,the process include those who have vaccinated over 50% of the targeted population before March 31st, 2022, and the extent of sensitisation among others.
She further explained that, there shall be Award for Best Performers of Covid-19 vaccination and Routine Immunization in each of the six geopolitical zones and overall best in either Routine Immunization or Covid-19 as well as most improved on Covid-19 and most improved on Routine Immunization.
Goodwill messages came from the Chairman Governing Board, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Daniel Iya, Representative of the Sultan of Sokoto and Emir of Argungu, Alh. Samaila Muhammed Mera, Christian Association of Nigeria, Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation, United States Centre for Disease Control, UNICEF, and World Health Organization who commended the Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for promoting primary Healthcare services in the country through rewarding of excellence.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State was accompanied by the Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shuaibu Abdulrahaman, Program Manager SERICC, Musa Ibrahim Kuna, State Immunization Officer, Yusuf Ibrahim, and State Coordinator Mallam Yahya
Governor Inuwa Flags-off Distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention Campaign …Over 2.3 Million ITNs To Be Distributed Across Gombe State…Gombe First Lady Decorated as Malaria/ Insecticidal Nets Ambassador Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has flagged-off the distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the scourge in the State and the country in general. Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the new banquet hall of the Government House, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya noted that Malaria has continued to be a public health challenge across the world but most importantly in sub-saharan Africa.The Governor who noted that Malaria still poses a great threat to health and socio-economic wellbeing of the people, however expressed delight on reports indicating a decline in the number of deaths associated with the disease. The Governor observed that the achievements was made possible due to the collective efforts of all partners especially those present at the flag off.
The use of insecticide treated nets and the administration of seasonal malaria chemoprevention medicines has been proven to be one of the most effective durable and cost effective Malaria preventive intervention” He said the Government of Gombe State, in partnership with the global fund will officially flag off the two campaigns that will signal the commencement of distribution of over 2.3 million nets to the people of State on a door to door basis using the same approach in administration of Sulphadoxin Pyrimethamine + Amodiaquine (Malaria Prevention Medicines)SPAQ to Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, SMC to 796, 988 children per month for the next four months that are of greater risk across the 114 ward spread in the 11 Local Government Areas of the State.
“I wish to reiterate that the cardinal objective of this administration is to safeguard the lives and property of every individual through prevention and improvement in health service in the State”Governor Inuwa Yahaya remarked that the Gombe State Government has approved the use of its health facilities and deployed health workers for the successful implementation of the campaigns. “The provision of affordable and accessible healthcare is one of the core priorities of this administration. This includes measures to control the spread of preventable diseases like malaria. In order to achieve this, Government has approved the use of over 580 health facilities, deployed over 2000 health workers and provided all the requisite financial and operational support to ensure the successful implementation of the malaria intervention campaign”. He revealed that the State Government has fulfilled all its financial obligations in order to ensure a hitch free campaign. The Governor used the occasion to appeal to philanthropists and corporate organisations to compliment Government efforts in Malaria control which must not necessarily be through finance but supporting interventions like donating long lasting Insecticide treated nets and sulphur doxine pherimetmine, S.P for intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, Chemicals indoor malaria spray and drugs.”I wish to also thank the development partners who have worked and are still working tirelessly with the State government in other to ensure the smooth implementation of the campaign especially in the midst of the covid-19 Pandemic; the global fund malaria, National Malaria Elimination Program, the Catholic Relief Services the Chemonics and all other development partners”.He said his administration is well aware that the investment by partners in the campaign has re-energized the State Government to continue to work through the State Ministry of health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Malaria Elimination Programme in order to ensure that malaria burden in the State is reduced and eventually eliminated. He said according to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Malaria is known to be one of the leading causes of death particularly among children under the age of five and pregnant women.”This disease over burdens the already weakened health system and exertes a severe social and economic burden on the nation thereby retarding the Gross Domestic Product GDP by 40 percent annually and costing approximately 480 million naira in out of budget expenditure for the people and lost of productive hours”. The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said Gombe State is one among the first set where ITN assessment campaign will be carried out in 2021 which will see the distribution of over 2.3 million nets in Gombe State.
Represented by Pharmacist Talatu Kassim Yahaya, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Elimination Programme, has since adopted the use of ITNs and SMC medicines as medication for eligible children as one of the key strategies for the prevention of malaria in the country. The National coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Perpetual Ohomoighi, represented by the Programme Manager Global Fund, Dr. Issa Kawu commended the Gombe State Government for displaying capacity in the effective management and implementation of the Global Fund grant geared towards fighting malaria in the State. This was why in recognition of her contribution to the fight against malaria in the State, the Gombe State First Lady, Hajiya Asmau Inuwa Yahaya was awarded and decorated at the occasion as the Net Campaign Ambassador for the State. Reacting to the honour done to her, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya said as the Net Ambassador of the State she will explore different channels and resources to disseminate messages on the use of Insecticide treated nets so as to ensure that families protect themselves from mosquitoe bites by sleeping inside their nets every night. Speaking through its Information Communication Technology Development specialist, the Catholic Relief Services, one of the leading implementing partners in the fight against malaria equally thanked the Gombe State Government for providing the enabling environment for the smooth implementation of the ITN campaign in the State.
The Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Abdulrahman Shu’iabu was administered the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine during the Official Flag-Off ceremony for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccine in Gombe state on the17th of March 2021, along side H.E, Governor Inuwa Yahaya and other top government officials at the Banquet hall of the Government house
Gombe state Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF organised a one day capacity building for Health Education Officers across the eleven LGAs of Gombe State with the aim of equipping them with fresh ideas on report writing and promoting Healthy behaviours and lifestyles in PHCs services and other activities among the populace of Gombe State.
Footage Photograph during the programme
The Executive Secretary (E.S) of the agency earlier in the day, flagged off the training of health care providers with regards to the treatment of Elephantiasis, which took place at the State specialist hospital.
Executive Secretary – GSPHCDA delivering a speech during the Programme
The Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency paid a visit to the State central cold store to supervise the distribution of Solar Direct Drive refrigerators across the State. The refrigerators, numbering 33 will be distributed to health facilities across the State. The ES stated that the distribution of the refrigerators will further improve routine immunization coverage in the State.
The Executive secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA) Dr. Abdulrahman Shu’iabu called on the general public to adhere to environmental sanitation as one of the key strategies aimed at curtailing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in the State.
Dr. Abdulrahman made this remarks in his office while answering questions from news men to mark the world NTD day. He stated that, there is a strong collaboration between the State Government and some organisations towards eliminating and controlling NTDs which include Onchocerciasis (River blindness) Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) in the state.
The E.S while appreciating the effort of the State Government in its effort towards eliminating NTDs through the provision of clean water and environmental sanitation, also urged the general public, to compliment government effort by ensuring personal hygiene among others.
